Originally Posted by
nbo10
I've been browsing CL for a road bike and am kinda shocked at the prices people asked. 5, 6, 7, 10 years old bikes are priced at 80-90% of the retail price. I don't know much about older bikes. So, is this a reasonable price for a 20 year old bike?
That's a decision that only you can make.
Sellers can ask any price they choose but, if nobody is willing to buy at that price, they're stuck with an unsold bike. I would never pay 80-90% of retail for a 20 year old bike.
Buyers may think the price is too high, but if they can't find a bike at a price that's acceptable to them, they're stuck with no bike.
Maybe your opinion is unrealistic for your market. Maybe not. If you find a bike you think you'd like, shoot the seller an offer that you're willing to pay. If you're too far apart he may be insulted and tell you to get lost but you won't have lost anything but time. If you can negotiate a price you're both willing to live with - that's the fair price for that bike.